Sell, Harriet Gertrude (Mrs. Ralph A.), 1878-1941

SELL, HUTTON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/16/2022 at 19:02:47

Mrs. R. A. Sell Dies At Houston

Mrs. R. A. Sell, a resident of Alton for several years, passed on at a Houston hospital on May 11th, according to news received by friends here from her daughter Ruth. The latter, now married and living at Long Beach, will spend some time with her father. Mrs. Sell’s death was unexpected, as she had gone to the hospital only for rest and observation, and was fatally stricken while there.

The family resided here some thirty years ago, while Mr. Sell was superintendent of the public school. Later he further pursued his botanical and biology studies and has attained prominence in the educational world, both as a teacher and author of nature books. He has also traveled extensively and has written a book on his observations in Alaska.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The 1910 U.S. census for Alton, Iowa, has Ralph Sell, age 33, married 9 years, born in Pennsylvania, a public school teacher; wife Gertrude, age 32, mother of 1 child, living, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Iowa; daughter Ruth, age 2, born in Iowa. The 1920 census shows the family in Houston, Texas, where Ralph is a teacher in the public school.

Gertrude’s FindaGrave.com page has Harriett Gertrude Hutton Sell, born 1876, died 10 May 1941 in Missouri[??], buried in Forest Park Cemetery, Houston, Texas; husband Ralph Abraham Sell (1875-1943); mother of Ruth. There is a photo of her headstone: “Harriet H. Sell, Nov. 4 1878 – May 10 1941.”